CoalCracker
Really Nice work....but I would hesitate to put oil on it, an mash temps oil finishs can leach into the beer, and aside from other things, have adverse effects on your beers head.......Leave it Naked and get good head

Also I have to warn on the use of walnut......while is common to see spoons and bowls made from walnut, it is also a very common to see people wickedly allergic to the oils that will leach out of walnut into your beer. I work in wood, and know alot of people that can't even breathe in the dust. I always have to wear a mask even with shop filtration and dust collection.

I actually placed the oil on it before you posted... It's had a while to soak in and is completely dry to the touch. Maybe before I brew, i'll soak it in some warm water and see If I get any leaching.

I'm not too worried about the walnut. It will have very minimal contact in the brewing process. Just a quick stir to break up dough balls and I'm done. I have a feeling that it would take a bit more than a minute or two to really leech any wood oils into the beer.

Actually just did some reading.

Walnut wood and several other woods have small amounts of juglone, but much lower amounts than other plant parts, for example nuts, bark, and roots. The potential for toxicity should be minimal in cutting boards, which are dried. Juglone is not very soluble in water, so I would not expect it to come out of cutting boards and into food very easily. I would think that the concern for toxicity from this source would be minimal, but again, we have no direct research and I am not aware of any specifically on this topic. However, if you are cutting the wood and there is sawdust, then protection from the sawdust is in order.

I actually placed the oil on it before you posted... It's had a while to soak in and is completely dry to the touch. Maybe before I brew, i'll soak it in some warm water and see If I get any leaching.

I'm not too worried about the walnut. It will have very minimal contact in the brewing process. Just a quick stir to break up dough balls and I'm done. I have a feeling that it would take a bit more than a minute or two to really leech any wood oils into the beer.

Actually just did some reading.

Walnut wood and several other woods have small amounts of juglone, but much lower amounts than other plant parts, for example nuts, bark, and roots. The potential for toxicity should be minimal in cutting boards, which are dried. Juglone is not very soluble in water, so I would not expect it to come out of cutting boards and into food very easily. I would think that the concern for toxicity from this source would be minimal, but again, we have no direct research and I am not aware of any specifically on this topic. However, if you are cutting the wood and there is sawdust, then protection from the sawdust is in order.

Many of us have used mineral oil with no noticeable effect on head retention. I wouldn't worry about it.

It's cool, I was just pointing out some common problems associated with using oil, and walnut which may or may not affect you. Totally not raggin on your work brother....first rate. Awesome!!!

Definitely didn't take it as that!! Just was throwing some info out there that I found for others to take note in. I appreciate the kind words!! I've been wood working since I'm about 8. My dad owns a custom furniture business so I've always been around it. It's nice having a 3000sq/ft workshop at my disposal!

Definitely didn't take it as that!! Just was throwing some info out there that I found for others to take note in. I appreciate the kind words!! I've been wood working since I'm about 8. My dad owns a custom furniture business so I've always been around it. It's nice having a 3000sq/ft workshop at my disposal!

See now I have shop envy!!! I own a fully stocked Pro shop but mine's not as big.....

I'm also third gen wood worker. I wonder if theres a correlation between wood working and brewing beer???